iD Dunedin '09 finalists announced

MORE than 100 entries from 11 countries, 31 finalists have been announced for the 2009 Southern Trust iD Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin on Friday 13 March.

The selection panel narrowed the field to the finalists they believe represent the best and brightest new emerging New Zealand and international talent. These young designers will travel from around the world to present their ranges at the Emerging Designer Awards, now in its fifth year.

The Emerging Designer Awards allow finalists to present their original ideas and collections to the fashion world, winning prizes for outstanding creativity as the next generation of talented fashion designers.

The highly sought after prizes include $5000 for first place, $2000 for second and $1000 for third. Also on offer is the coveted Mittelmoda prize which secures the prize winner direct entry to show at the Mittelmoda competition in Italy in September, bypassing the competitive and complex selection process.

Since the Emerging Designer Awards show was launched in 2005, two other designers have also gone on to win prizes at Mittelmoda event including Mittelmoda special prize winners Shola Steele from 2006 and Sam Fisher from 2007